The profession
- 17,000 physiotherapists active in Switzerland
- Moderate shortage: 2,000-3,000 positions to fill
- Employers: hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, private practices, professional sports
- 70% in private practice or self-employed
- Demographic ageing = strong projected growth
HES training
HES Bachelor in Physiotherapy:
- 3 years full-time
- HES-SO (Lausanne, Geneva), ZHAW, Bern, Ticino
- Numerus clausus: ~250 places/year for ~1,200 candidates
- Conditions: gymnasium or health vocational maturity + aptitude test
Foreign recognition
Via SRC:
- EU/EFTA: direct or with measures (3-6 months)
- Third countries: equivalence exam + often adaptation internship
- Cost: CHF 800-1,500
- Language: B2 French/German mandatory
Salaries
- Starting in practice: CHF 5,800-7,000/month
- 5-10 years XP: CHF 7,000-8,500/month
- Senior practice: CHF 8,500-10,500/month
- Self-employed: CHF 100-180K/year (fixed costs 30-40% turnover)
- Sports or orthopaedic specialist: +10-15%
Setting up a practice
- RCC number mandatory to bill LAMal
- 2 years post-diploma experience required to set up self-employed
- Initial investment: CHF 30,000-80,000 (equipment + practice)
- Monthly fixed costs: CHF 2,500-5,000 (rent + insurance + admin)
- Profitability: 18-30 months on average
Specialisations
- Sports: sports medicine, pro teams
- Orthopaedics: post-surgery
- Paediatrics: children/babies
- Neurology: stroke, Parkinson's, MS
- Cardio-respiratory: post-infarct rehabilitation
- Elite sport: 1% of market but very lucrative
Practical tips
- Internship with a physio before HES enrolment: mandatory anyway
- Learn anatomy beforehand (books, MOOCs)
- Activate your RCC as soon as training ends
- Network in sports: local teams, federations
- Follow continuing education: 80h/year recommended
- Self-employed: 4-5 years in salaried practice first, then installation
